The synthesis and photochemistry of 3-oxo-3H-benzopyran derivatives linked through ester, anhydride, urethane and carbonate bonds to representative L-amino acids, at the amino and carboxylic acid groups at the main chain or the hydroxyl group at the side chain, were carried out. The stability to photolysis of the resulting conjugates was studied at different wavelengths of irradiation (254, 300 and 350 nm), the anhydride and ester linkages being the most sensitive in the studied conditions. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.